The teen who was put on probation after killing four people in a drunken- driving accident will now continue his probation through the adult court system, following a hearing in Texas this morning.
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The teen used an “affluenza” defense in the fatal drunken-driving wreck near Fort Worth and was sentenced only to probation.
The Friday ruling means the 18-year-old could face 120 days in jail, then finish his 10-year probation.
Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson, said he would be surprised if Couch is released on Friday. If he violates that probation he faces up to 10 years in prison for each person killed in the 2013 crash – a total of 40 years. If he violates his probation during that time, he could get up to 10 years in prison for each crash victim.
He could face up to 120 days in jail as part of the terms of adult probation. A video surfaced in December that appeared to show Couch at a party where people were drinking.
Attorney Alex Kim is not associated with the case and said transferring Couch to the adult court system assures he’ll be heavily supervised after he turns 19 in April and leaves the juvenile justice system. If the judge decides to not transfer Couch to the adult system and determines he is not in violation of his probation, Couch is pretty much off the hook.
Mother and son were apprehended on December 28, in the resort city of Puerto Vallarta. She has been charged with hindering the apprehension of a felon.
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The first of five court dates, during which a judge will check that Tonya Couch is abiding by the terms of her bond, has not been scheduled. He was being held at the Tarrant County Jail.
